Mcrino-Ryeland Breed of Sheep. 475 



animals already infected, and by other measures, all of which I shall specify in iheir 

 proper place. 



There is another troublesome malady, with which my Merino Ryeland flock has 

 been twice affected, and which, not being even mentioned by the French writers, 

 can, I think, scarcely exist in tiie Merina breed in Spain or France. This is the 

 Foot-rot; a complaint too well known to require a description. It is chiefly incon- 

 venient, as it indisposes the animal to move about in quest of food, and therefore 

 makes him thinner in flesh and wool. Farmers generally consider it as infectious. 

 It began to shew itself in my flock soon after they had been crossed with certain 

 pure Merincs, which came to me labouring under this disease. They were all 

 cured, and remained for several years free. Afterwards I obtained another Merino 

 ram, who proved to be lame of it in all his feet. Very shortly after, my flock began 

 again to suffer ; and though individuals were readily cured, others continued falling 

 down, from time to time, for several years. In 1804, 14 out of 43 lambs, though 

 lying on dry ploughed ground, were seized with the disease in less than a fortnight. 

 I separated them from the rest. In 2 days, 3 more were affected. I immediately 

 removed these; and no more became ill. These facts lead to a suspicion that the 

 disease, when once produced, is actually contagious. It is certain, however, that 

 damp land, a rainy season, and deep grass, dispose to it, if they do not actually 

 produce it ; and that it seldom appears in sheep feeding on dry downs, or in fallow 

 fields. In individuals it is easily and quickly curable; and when, at the same 

 time, it becomes general, or lasts long, throughout a flock, or is violent in any 

 particular sheep, the shepherd is justly chargeable with very culpable negligence, 

 or ignorance. 



The sheep and lambs of my breed, like those of others, are sonrietimes affected 

 with looseness, or scouring, which most frequently occurs in the spring from new 

 grass. I have found it never fatal, and easily cured. 



I hear and read of great mortality among sheep after shearing. In my own 

 flock, I do not recollect ever having lost a single sheep, or lamb, from that operation. 



The lambs of my breed come into the world very bare of wool ; and, therefore, 

 certainly require more shelter than those of most other kinds. The same is pro- 

 bably true with regard to all the deep crosses from the Merino race, as well as to 

 those of the unmixed breed. With due care, however, which I shall hereafter 

 specify, I have not lost more than 4 or 5 per ico in the produce of ewes from 

 a- tooth to decrepitude, 



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